Day 19 - Until Every One Comes Home

The holidays here in Iraq have been full of new experiences, new faces, and new life lessons. One of the reasons many here continue to have the will to go on is because of the many men and women of the USO. A non-profit organization, they provide morale, welfare, and recreation to thousands working at hundreds of locations. Composed primarily of volunteers, they have worked through the cold hours of the evening to bring us entertainment on multiple occasions.

Dance troupes, singers, rappers, comedians, actors, sports athletes, all using their holidays away from family and friends to come and show their support. Whether inside a building with the comforts of heat or outside frigid and windy, thousands would line up for an evening of entertainment. Standing or sitting in close quarters, many would huddle up to see the acts performed as we would cheer.

Though there have been several events held here during my time, there were two memorable ones that come to mind. The first was a group of women performing under the name of “The Purrfect Angelz”. Based out of California, these women would travel the middle East bringing song and dance to many. Six women total, some who were making their first tour to Iraq while some had been several times in the past. As they would dance across the stage to patriotic tunes, the crowd would yell and shout, singing along every so often. Wearing outfits colored in red, white, and blue, as an American flag suspended behind them, we were reminded that we were here to do a job, to accomplish our mission. Afterwards, hundreds lined the aisles to get autographs and take pictures with those who had taken time out of their lives to come visit the troops of Iraq.

The second event that I’m reminded of was the comedy/country music tour that arrived here in mid-December. As we arrived to the outside stadium, the sun was still shining, bringing warmth with each ray. That would not last long though. As we waited for everyone to set up, the sun ducked down behind the horizon and the cold rolled in. Weather would not be a factor to turn us away from this evening. The show kicked off with four comedians, each making us laugh at our situation we were in. At the end of their act, they would thank us for our service. Following them was a song by a familiar actress who had starred on several hit television shows as well as in a recent movie. During her performance, some of the Soldiers snuck in a plastic blow-up doll, passing it around as a giant beach ball. Mid note, she stopped singing and was overcome with laughter. The crowd went wild as the doll floated from hand to hand. Continuing with her song, she would hit notes bringing a chill to the soul. Receiving a standing ovation, she thanked us for what we were doing as she introduced the next act.

Kellie Pickler, a young up-and-coming country singer, hit the stage as a mass of troops inched closer to the platform. As she sang and danced around the stage, it was amazing to see the number of cameras focused on her as I sat atop the bleachers to the rear. The continuous flashes and LCD screens focused on her showed the troops here supported her as much as she supported up. Inviting many to sing along, the crowd would yell the lyrics to “Red High Heels”, both men and women alike.

The guest of the night came out during the coldest part of the event – Kid Rock. Upon his entrance, the audience stood to their feet, applauding and cheering for several minutes, barely able to clap as hands were hindered by the effects of the weather. Performing several hit songs, each with improvised lyrics to depict what we were doing here in Iraq.

As he was due to exit the stage, the crowd, including myself, chanted “One more song!”. In the spirit of the holidays and with the hopes that we would all make it home soon, we were honored to have him Sing “Sweet Home Alabama”. One day, we all would be home again.

The performers who come through Iraq typically have busy schedules full of events. Performing one, two, or three events per day, they fly across the country showing their support to thousands of awaiting fans. Not only are we gone for the holidays, but as are they. Accompanying them, making these events possible, are the men and women of the USO. Without their efforts, none of this would be possible. This holiday season I am proud to serve in a time when many show their support. Special thanks goes out to those of the USO who will continue to give well after the holidays have passed – until every one comes home.